Few beauty items are quite as personal as mascara. Why? Because several factors come into play when finding one you can't put down. Lash type, desired look, and formulation will play a role in dictating whether or not a mascara suits your wants and needs. However, according to makeup artist Nicole Bueno, all great mascaras should be buildable and resistant to flaking and smudging. With a massive number of mascaras available on the market, it can be challenging to find the very best options.
So, we scoured the market to find the most popular and well-loved mascaras before selecting 33 to put to the test in our lab in NYC. We evaluated each one based on its ease of use, wear, performance, overall look, and ease of removal. Those that performed best across the attributes and impressed us the most appear on this list. Keep reading to discover which mascara is right for you.
Best Overall
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara
Hourglass-shaped brush
Intense volume
No smudging or flaking
Easy to remove
Formula is a bit wet
This mascara didn’t reach icon status by accident—it lives up to the hype. It promises to deliver intense black volume while lengthening, curling, and separating the lashes—and it delivers.
It builds up easily to create clump-free volume, and we loved that the hourglass-shaped brush helps to achieve separated lashes. It adds thickness without making them look overdone, and we were pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to remove. While we took no issue with it, some online reviews complained that the formula is a bit too wet so if you struggle with messy mascara application due to wet formulas, we recommend wiping the excess product off of the wand before applying it. Because of its impressive buildability, we found it to be a great choice for everyday wear if you like a bold lash look, and it also makes for a solid option if you’re creating a glam or event makeup look.
Benefits: Volumizing, Curling, Lengthening | Shades: 1 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Read Full Review: This Too Faced Mascara Is My Secret to Curled, Defined Lashes
Best Drugstore
CoverGirl Exhibitionist Uncensored Mascara
Jet black color
Buildable volume
Transfer-resistant
Infused with moisturizing ingredients
Some online reviewers report a bit of flaking
If you’re looking for a drugstore mascara that delivers dramatic volume, this one is worth picking up. It can be layered up to create intense fullness on the lashes, and we appreciate that it’s infused with coconut and jojoba oils which can be helpful to prevent your lashes from drying out.
We used the Extreme Black shade and loved how jet-black it made the lashes look. The formula wore well without smudging, transferring, or clumping, making it an excellent drugstore buy. And while some online reviewers reported some flaking (we didn't experience this), we think the pros far outweigh the cons.
Benefits: Volumizing | Shades: 4 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Volumizing
CoverGirl Lash Blast Mascara
Provides clump-free volume
Buildable
Easy to remove
Strong paint-like smell
Cruise the makeup aisle at any drugstore and you’re bound to see a display of this beloved mascara. For years, it’s been hailed a top-shelf volumizing mascara, and despite how many new formulations have hit the market since this one, it’s remained a fan favorite. It promises to add definition and thickness to each lash without clumping or smudging.
We can confirm: it delivers on its clump-free claim. It made our lashes look full and voluminous while maintaining a natural appearance, and because it isn’t an overly thick or goopy formula, it’s great for defining the lower lashes.
We wish it didn't have a strong paint-like smell, but if you’re not overly sensitive to fragrance, it shouldn’t be a deal-breaker.
Benefits: Volumizing | Shades: 4 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Lengthening
Tarte Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara
Long-lasting and smudge-resistant
Narrow wand makes application easy
Easy to remove
Could provide more volume
Tubing mascaras are excellent for creating elongated lashes—and this one delivers on that and more. The formula creates “tubes” that wrap around each lash to separate, define, and lengthen. While it also provides a bit of volume and curling action, it’s the lengthening benefit that truly stands out.
We appreciate the thin, plastic wand because it makes it easy to coat the lashes in hard-to-reach areas, like the inner corners. We also love the length that this mascara created, that it lasted all day with no smearing, and how simple it was to remove.
Benefits: Lengthening | Shades: 1 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Splurge
Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes Mascara
Dual-sided brush
Clump-free
Wispy finish
Nice for targeting inner lashes
Uneven application
Charlotte Tilbury’s Pillow Talk line is iconic, and this mascara is too. Created to provide length and volume, it features a unique double-sided paddle brush that works to load and comb product onto the lashes while giving them a lift. It’s also smudge-proof and humidity-proof, making it a fitting choice if you’re traveling or you live in a humid climate.
In addition to providing impressive length, it worked wonders in terms of giving the lashes a curled and lifted finish. If you struggle to coat your inner lashes as one of our testers does, this could be just the mascara you need. She explained that while she usually struggles to lengthen the small lashes at her inner corners, this product eliminates that problem. She did note that she wished the application was more even but admitted that the issue could be attributed to the shape of her eye, so everyone may not have the same experience.
Benefits: Volumizing, Lengthening | Shades: 2 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best 2-in-1
Honest Beauty Mascara + Lash Primer
Provides clean length and volume
Primer and mascara layer well
Transfer-resistant
Grip on the primer side is short and awkward to hold
Mascara primers can be great for separating and thickening the lashes prior to applying mascara, but having to keep a separate tube in your makeup bag can feel a bit excessive. This 2-in-1 product works to condition and prep the lashes, and create length and volume—without adding excess weight or clutter to your collection.
The brush is narrow with short plastic bristles, making it easy to reach each lash, and the formula delivers natural-looking length and volume. It’s formulated with jojoba esters to nourish the lashes, and the primer formula helps to prolong the wear of the mascara in addition to conditioning.
We loved the lash look it created, but the one downside was that the grip on the primer side is very short, making it difficult to maneuver without smearing the formula on the skin near the eyes.
Benefits: Priming, Lengthening, Volumizing | Shades: 1 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Smudge-Free
IT Cosmetics Volumizing Mascara
No smudging or flaking
Delivers intense volume
Can be built-up quickly
Packaging is a bit bulky
A mascara that can give the lashes volume and lift that resembles a salon blowout? Count us in. The brand nailed it with the name of this mascara—it truly creates gorgeous volume and a lifting effect on the lashes.
Unlike many formulas that are too wet or thick or all too dry when you crack open the tube, we appreciated that this one had the perfect consistency right from the start. We loved that we were able to build up the intensity quickly—so much so that we could achieve a false-lash effect. But the best part is that despite how much we built it up, we experienced absolutely no smudging or flaking.
One thing we would change about this one is the size of the packaging. While it adorably mimics a round brush, it’s a bit bulky and cumbersome to hold.
Benefits: Volumizing | Shades: 1 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Clean
ILIA Limitless Lash Mascara
Dual-sided brush
Rich black color
Easy to remove
Minimal smudging
If you keep up with what’s popular in the clean beauty space, then chances are you’re familiar with this ultra-popular clean mascara. According to our test results, it deserves the high praise it receives. Formulated with a blend of conditioning waxes, it works to nourish the lashes while lengthening and lifting them. It has a unique dual-sided wand that contains short bristles to curl and add subtle volume to the lashes, and long bristles to lift, lengthen, and separate them.
We loved the defined look it gave the lashes and we were also incredibly impressed that the ultra-black pigment remained easy to remove. We did notice just a bit of smudging near the upper eyelid, so if you’re prone to smudging, keep that in mind.
Benefits: Lengthening, Lifting | Shades: 1 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Read Full Review: Today in Mascara Reviews: ILIA Beauty's Limitless Lashes Mascara
Best False Lash Dupe
Milk Makeup High Volume Mascara
Weighted packaging allows for controlled application
Easy to build intense volume
Easy to remove
Recyclable packaging
Slightly clumpy
Applying false lashes can be tricky and time-consuming, so finding a mascara that provides a false lash effect is a great alternative. This volumizing formula packed with hemp-derived cannabis seed oil works to coat the lashes in dramatic volume while conditioning them and maintaining a soft feel.
If you have straight eyelashes, this mascara could be the perfect pick for you. One of our testers with extremely straight eyelashes explained that it added so much drama to her lashes that they almost looked fake. And although she was able to achieve a bold look, the formula didn’t weigh them down.
Our one con with this mascara is that it can get slightly clumpy. But if you’re looking for a falsies effect, this might not bother you. To remove clumps, we suggest taking an eyelash comb and gently combing your lashes after applying the mascara to remove excess product.
Benefits: Volumizing | Shades: 1 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Wand
Benefit Cosmetics Lengthening Mascara
Flexible wand
Doesn’t smudge or transfer
Great for separating
Slightly difficult to remove
The shape and size of a mascara wand can make or break the outcome of your look, not to mention significantly impact your experience using the product. While there are tons of different types of wands, and varying opinions on which kind is best, the truth is that it’s very personal. However, tons of consumer reviews and our tester agree that the wand on this mascara is fantastic.
The formula and brush work together to lengthen and volumize the lashes while giving them a lifted effect. The wand contains staggered bristles to effectively grip each lash, and we found that the bristles did a great job of separating lashes for a more wide-eyed look. The bristles on the tip of the brush also helped to coat the lashes in hard-to-reach areas, making for a full, even application.
If we could change one thing about this mascara, it wouldn’t be anything having to do with the brush. Rather, we wish it was a bit easier to remove.
Benefits: Lengthening, Volumizing | Shades: 2 | Cruelty-Free: No
Best Flake-Free
Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez Perfect Strokes Mascara
Can be built up quickly
Holds a curl
No transferring or flaking
Wand is a bit too big for the bottom lashes
Slightly clumpy
Selena Gomez and the Rare Beauty team have created some incredible products, and this is one of them. It promises to volumize, lengthen, and curl the lashes while maintaining its condition throughout the day—and it does.
With this formula, less is more as it builds up very quickly and can create some minor clumping. However, after cleaning it up a bit, we love that it makes the lashes look defined and curled. And best of all, it remains totally flake-free as you wear it.
While this formula is a great option if you experience flaking or smudging on your lower lash line, the brush is a bit big for the area which can make application tricky.
Benefits: Volumizing, Curling, and Lengthening | Shades: 1 | Cruelty-Free: Yes
How We Tested
Byrdie editors did extensive research on popular mascaras, taking expert recommendations and consumer reviews into account before choosing 33 to test out first-hand. Our testers assessed each one based on ease of use, wear, performance, overall look, and ease of removal before deciding on a rating from one to five. Those with the highest scores made the list. All tests were performed in The Lab, our Manhattan product testing facility.
What to Look for When Buying Mascara
- Benefits: Finding the best mascara for you will depend on the natural state of your lashes as well as what you’re looking for. If you already have long, curled lashes, then perhaps reaching for a volumizing mascara, like the COVERGIRL Lash Blast Volume Mascara, makes the most sense for you. If you’re looking to fake the appearance of longer lashes, seek out formulas that focus primarily on lengthening benefits. If you want a bit of everything—length, curl, volume—while still maintaining a natural appearance, a pick like the ILIA Limitless Lash Lengthening Mascara is a great choice. For those with straight lashes, makeup artist Dominique Della Maggiore suggests opting for a tubing mascara, like the Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara, since they help to add length and hold a curl. Bueno adds that mascaras with dryer formulas are ideal, since wet formulas can weigh the lashes down.
- Wand: The formula and the wand are the most important aspects of a mascara. A formula might be lightweight, silky, and nourishing, but if the wand can’t apply it to your lashes effectively then it won’t matter. Some wands feature spoolie-like bristles that tend to be long and densely packed, while others have plastic or rubber bristles that make for a more uniform application. For example, if you have long, curled lashes, a big mascara wand will give you dramatic, fluttery lashes. But if you’re working with short lashes, a long, skinny rubber wand will allow you to easily grip and coat your lashes. It may take some trial and error to figure out which type of wand is right for you, so don’t be afraid to experiment.
- Shade: Black mascara is classic, but there are other options. If you’re looking to create a no-makeup, makeup look, opting for brown mascara will give your look a more subtle finish. And if you like to get creative with your looks or enhance your eye color, try reaching for a colored mascara to change things up.
Why Trust Byrdie
Alyssa Kaplan is an experienced writer in the beauty industry and product tester specializing in cosmetics. She has tested dozens of mascaras—including several on this list. Alyssa has been a commerce writer at Byrdie since 2022, where she covers all things beauty.
Alyssa also spoke to experts to discuss important things to consider when purchasing mascara. Those experts included:
- Dominique Della Maggiore, a celebrity makeup artist who has worked with clients like Shay Mitchell, Liza Koshy, and more.
- Nicole Bueno, a New York-based makeup artist who has worked with clients like La La Anthony, Leyna Bloom, and more.